A thermal management system includes an airflow sensor that measures airflow in an air path inside an enclosure to be cooled, wherein the air path includes a filter and a fan. A controller is responsive to the airflow sensor for monitoring the rate of airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter. In one embodiment, the airflow sensor is an active type sensor, such as a thermistor, disposed on circuit boards. In further embodiments, the airflow sensor is disposed proximate a tube through the filter.
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9. A thermal management system comprising:
an airflow path inside an enclosure to be cooled, wherein the air path includes a filter and a fan;
an airflow sensor disposed within the filter to measure airflow inside the enclosure;
a second sensor supported within the enclosure to measure airflow through the filter; and
a controller responsive to the airflow sensor and second sensor for monitoring the measured airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter.
17. A filter for an air path of an enclosure to be cooled by moving air, the filter comprising:
a tube disposed through the filter for providing a laminar air path through the filter;
an active airflow sensor coupled to the tube that provides a signal representative of airflow through the filter;
a second sensor supported within the enclosure to measure airflow through the filter; and
a controller responsive to the airflow sensor and second sensor for determining the condition of the filter.
18. A filter for a laminar flow air path of an enclosure to be cooled by moving air, the filter comprising:
a filter assembly formed to fit in the laminar flow air path of the enclosure;
a first sensor supported by the filter assembly that detects a difference in pressure across the filter;
a second active sensor supported by the filter assembly that detects airflow through the filter; and
a controller supported by the filter assembly responsive to the first and second sensors for monitoring the rate of airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter.
1. A thermal management system comprising:
an active airflow sensor that measures airflow in an air path inside an enclosure to be cooled, wherein the air path includes a filter and a fan, and wherein the active airflow sensor is intergrated with the filter, a separate sensor to measure airflow through the filter;
a separate sensor to measure airflow through the filter; and
a controller responsive to the airflow sensor for monitoring the measured airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter, wherein the active airflow sensor provides airflow information to the controller that determines when the filter should be replaced, and wherein the controller initiates a graceful shut down of electronics within the enclosure as a function of measured airflow.
2. The thermal management system of
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19. The filter of
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Thermal management systems generally include an enclosure such as a housing or cabinet for heat generating electronic component circuit cards or boards which must be cooled to prevent damage to the electronic components. A variable speed fan may be used to force air over the components and a temperature sensor and/or an air flow sensor monitors the temperature and/or air flow rate of the air or other cooling gas inside the cabinet.
A filter is used to reduce particulate matter in order to eliminate contaminants which could otherwise foul the circuit cards. A controller, connected to the fan and responsive to the temperature sensor and/or the air flow sensor, continuously monitors the temperature of the electronic circuit cards and may adjust the speed of the fan to keep the electronic components cool.
Such prior art systems, however, may detect temperature increases too late to gracefully shut down electronics being cooled. A graceful shut down would allow data to be saved prior to removing power to the electronics.
As circuitry has decreased in size, it is more sensitive to increases in temperature. Further, the resistance to airflow that such smaller circuitry presents is now comparable to that provided by filters. Thus, any blockage of a filter more quickly lowers airflow and adversely affects the circuitry. Common practice today is to schedule filter replacement on a set schedule, such as every six months. This practice does not take into account the environment where the filter may be located. In a dusty environment, the filter may need to be replaced more quickly. In a clean room environment, filter may last much longer than six months.
Further, prior art systems may utilize pressure sensor based airflow sensing in an effort to detect filter blockage. For airflow ranges seen in electronics enclosures, a pressure sensor with low measurement range is required. These sensors are large and susceptible to shock and vibration. They are also sensitive to mounting orientation. With smaller circuitry, the larger sensors become unwieldy and inaccurate. They may also fail to properly detect whether the filter is clogged to the point where cooling is no longer effective. Again, when the filter is clogged, the air flow rate through the cabinet may be less than optimal even at the highest fan speed resulting in component failure, thermal stress, or degradation which may not be detectable.
A thermal management system utilizes an airflow sensor that measures airflow in an air path inside an enclosure to be cooled. The air path includes a filter and a fan. A controller is responsive to the active airflow sensor and monitors the rate of airflow inside the enclosure which is representative of the condition of the filter.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
The functions or algorithms described herein are implemented in software or a combination of software and human implemented procedures in one embodiment. The software may consist of computer executable instructions stored on computer readable media such as memory or other type of storage devices. The term “computer readable media” is also used to represent any means by which the computer readable instructions may be received by the computer, such as by different forms of wireless transmissions. Further, such functions correspond to modules, which are software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. Multiple functions are performed in one or more modules as desired, and the embodiments described are merely examples. The software is executed on a digital signal processor, ASIC, microprocessor, or other type of processor operating on a computer system, such as a personal computer, server or other computer system.
Airflow sensor 120 is said to be active in that it uses energy in order to sense airflow. In one form, a pulsed thermistor (or other temperature dependent resistive device) is heated and the cooling of the thermistor is measured to determine airflow. Such thermistors may be very small, and easily implemented on circuit cards at one or more desired locations.
Airflow is provided by a fan 135 in one embodiment, which may be a variable speed fan. Fan 135 is coupled to controller 130 in one embodiment to control the speed of the fan to increase airflow and correspondingly decrease temperature of the circuit cards. A filter 140 may also be provided in an airflow path that begins at openings 142 in enclosure 100, traveling through the fan 135, filter 140, past the circuit cards 110, 112, 114 and other heat producing components as desired, exiting the enclosure 100 at openings 144.
Controller 130 in one embodiment, monitors the airflow, and detects when airflow has changed and is indicative of a filter that is becoming or is blocked. The term blocked as used herein means that the filter has become clogged with particulate matter, and the resistance it provides to airflow has increased. While still allowing air to flow through it, the airflow may not be adequate to sufficiently cool the components in the enclosure 100. This may be determined by the airflow rate reaching or passing a predetermined threshold, or by more complex algorithms. It may also be a function of air temperature in various embodiments. For instance, a lower air temperature may result in less flow being needed to adequate cool the components. Once the controller determines that the airflow is insufficient, it generates a signal to an output device 150, which may sound an audible alarm or provide some visual alarm or indication of the need to replace the filter. The alarm may be in the form of a message or blinking icon in various embodiments that are designed to call an operator's attention to the need for filter replacement.
In a further embodiment, an airflow sensor may be combined or integrated into the filter 140 as illustrated in perspective view in
An airflow sensor 215 is positioned proximate the tube, such as at or near either end, or within the tube, to provide an airflow indication representative of airflow through the tube. In one embodiment, the airflow sensor is a thermistor type airflow sensor, where an element is heated, and cooling of the element is representative of the flow of fluid such as air, past the element. Such thermistors are commercially available, and may be made small enough to fit within fairly small tubes. Power to the thermistor, as well as signals from the thermistor may be provided by line 220, which may be one or more conductive lines to provide current to heat the thermistor, as well as carry signals from the thermistor back to the controller 130 for analysis. In further embodiments, the thermistor may be battery powered, or powered by some other means 225, such as solar or by the airflow it is designed to measure. Small turbines may be used to power the sensor in further embodiments. The sensor may also have wireless capabilities for transmitting sensed airflow information. In still further embodiments, other types of sensors may be used to measure flow through the tube, such as non-active types of sensors, including turbines or other mechanically based sensors that rotate or bend (piezoelectric type) in response to airflow.
In one embodiment, the airflow through the filter is inversely proportional to the amount of blockage accumulated on the filter. The flow through the sensor is a linear function of pressure across the filter which is proportional to blockage. In other words, as the filter becomes more clogged, it allows less air to flow through it, building up pressure upstream of the filter. This increase in pressure results in an increase in the airflow through the tube, which is detected by the sensor 210. The controller 130 receives signals from the sensor 210 indicating the airflow levels, and may compare such levels to predetermined thresholds to determine whether or not the filter is blocked and should be replaced. In further embodiments, various algorithms in the controller may be used to track the rates at which a filter is becoming blocked, and provide predictions of when the filter should be replaced. This may be valuable in dusty environments, since a filter may become quickly blocked by dust. If an operator can see this happening, plans may be made to ensure filters are available when needed. The pressure developed across the filter depends on filter blockage and the speed of the fan that is generating airflow. If the fan speed is kept constant, the pressure across the filter directly represents its blockage. In an application where the fan speed is variable, the fan speed information may be used to normalize the pressure reading to determine filter blockage. In further embodiments, other algorithms, such as a table indexed by fan speed and pressure reading, may be used to determine filter blockage.
In a further embodiment, where sensor 120 proximate the circuit cards 110, 112, 114 is used, the airflow is inversely proportional to the amount of blockage of the filter. In other words, as the filter becomes more blocked with dust or other particles, the airflow through it, and thus past the sensor 120 decreases. If the fan speed is kept constant, the airflow reading directly represents the blockage level. If the fan speed is variable an additional compensation for fan speed is used in the controller 130. The controller 130 may again use a threshold to determine when the filter should be replaced. Historical temperature and or airflow data may be used to establish the threshold. The airflow can be associated with circuit card temperatures to more effectively estimate when the temperature of a circuit will exceed safe operating levels. Airflow is a leading indicator of such temperature excursions, and therefore may provide more advanced warnings of the need for replacement. Such advanced warnings may help ensure the ability to replace filters efficiently, and further allow for graceful shut down of electronics if the filter is not replaced prior to potentially damaging heat buildup.
Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium are executable by the processing unit 402 of the computer 410. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles including a computer-readable medium.
In a further embodiment illustrated at 500 in
Both sensors provide information to the controller to generate a signal indicative of filter blockage. This filter blockage signal may be derived from the pressure differential and airflow indication without regard to the fan speed. The ratio of pressure to airflow represents the filter blockage (Ohm's law). The combination of pressure and airflow sensors may be provided in an assembly, and can read filter blockage independent of fans speed or system resistance. It may also be used to detect a damaged filter, such as one that is ripped or torn, or otherwise allows significant airflow around the filter material. In such cases, the resistance will be below a selected threshold.
In further embodiments, the controller may be integrated or otherwise attached to the filter, providing a single replaceable unit. A battery or other source of power for the controller and sensors, such as a connector for external power may be included with the filter. The controller may include a light, such as an LED or other type of display device that is controlled by the controller to indicate that the filter is blocked or becoming blocked and should be replaced. In one embodiment, the controller may be supported by the tube of sensor 515. In further embodiments, it may be supported by the arm 525. The controller is electrically coupled to one or more of the sensors as desired. The same structure as shown in
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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